Controlling switch



Dec. 20, 1927.

` s. l. SMITH CONTROLLING SWITCH Filed March 50, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 F1-TE.

Dec. 2o, 1927.

S. L. SMITH CONTROLLING swITcH 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 30 wwwwm- INVENTOR Dec. zo, 1927. 1,653,517

. S.. L. SMITH CONTROLLI NG SWITCH Filed Maron so, i926 5 sheets-sheet 5 THD. y

60 W 4 6jmi 45 INVENTOR BY 6r WITNE SES 67 7 /l/ l l 42,1? 63 M l 7 ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 20, 19217.

UNITED STATES PATENT carica.

santone L. SMITH, or BROOKLYN, New YORK.

` lcom:noname SWITCH.

'Application nica :men so, 1926. semi No. 98,569.

trolled to display the signals enumerated.

either singly or in combination, whereby the operator of a vehicle mayv unmistakably sig- Anal inample time tothe drivers f other vehicles, his intention to slow down, stop, or makel a turn.

- `The invention further comprehends a controlling switch including indicating 0 means lsimultaneouslyoperable4 with the signals which may he given. I

The lnvention furthermore contemplates switch for indicating to the operator -t'he a controlling switchl for signaling circuits ofthe character set forth which is compara tively simple, compact, and durable in its lconstruction and mode of operation, inexpensive .to manufacture, and 'which is thoroughly reliable and highly eliicient in its purpose.. .Y

With the above recited and other objects -in view, reference is had to the following i specification and accompanying drawings in which there is exhibited one example or enibodiment oi the invention which is in no way intended as a limitation upon the scope of the appended claims as it is to be clearly understood that variations and modifications which properly fall'within the scope of said claims may be resorted to when found expedient. i

v In the drawings- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the switch in applied position lon t-he steering column of a motor vehicle;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the switch illustrating the same in its neutral position;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged Sectional viewl through the switch casing illust-rating the switch propel' in 'side elevation;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3, illustrating the clamping means for attaching the switch to the steering column;

Fig.y 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through the switch proper illustrating the same in neutral position;

Fig. 6 is a similar horizontal sectional View taken approximately on the line 6-.6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a detail transverse sectional view taken approximately on the line 7 7 of Fig. 5;

Fig. v8 is a similar view taken approximately on the line 8-8 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of the switch with the casing top removed; Figs. 10 to 17, inclusive, are fragmentary, diagrammatical plan views illustrating the various positions of the switch handle and the shutters of the indicating means;

Fig. 18 is a view of the wiring diagram.

Referring to the drawings by characters yof reference, the switch includes. a casing or operating with the concave face 24 of the extension terminal to constitute means for embracing and clamping the steering column 25 of a vehicle, whereby the switch casing or housing will be properly supported in juxtaposition to the steering wheel 26. The block 22 is moved and retained by means of threaded stems 27 having kerfed ends which are exposed through openings 28 in the casing to adjust the strap to various sizes of steering columns.

The switch proper includes a stationary section comprising a block 30 having vertically spaced upper and lowerl plates 31 and 32 of an insulating material; the switch proper further includes a laterally swingable section which lcomprises a block '33 of a conducting material having laterally spaced plates 34 and 35 ot an insulating material secured thereto. The block 33 of the movable section` is connected with the plates 31 and 32 of the stationary section for lateral swinging movements bya pivot 3G which is in the nature of a screw or bolt extending through the alined apertures in the plates 31 and 32 and the block 33, which bolt is held in place by a retaining nut 3T. The switch proper` further includes a vertically swingable section which consists of a block 38 of a conducting material positioned between the laterally spaced vertical plates 34 and 35 of the first-mentioned movable section, which will hereinafter be termed the intermediate section" and which is pivotally associated therewith b y a transverse bolt 39 extending through alined apertures in the plates 34 and 35 and the block 38. The block 38 is formed with a threaded outwardly projecting stem 40 which carries an internally threaded handle 4l ot' an insulating material. The stationary section has secuied thereto two sets or pairs ot spaced or spring contact elements 42 and 43, and 44 and 45, which are uounted and secured to the plates by bolts 4G which also constitute binding posts. A bridge piece 47V constituting a projection of the block 33 of the intermediate section is capable of being selectively moved. to projecting position vbetween the contacts 42 and 43, or the contacts 44 and 45, upon lateral swinging movement of the intermediate section, or disposed in a neutral non-bridging position as illustrated in Fig. 7, when said section is in a neutral position.

In order to maintain the intermediate section in any one of its three positions, the block 33 has on its opposite side faces. 'rack members 48 formed with teeth with which spring detents 49 engage, the detents being carried by the vertical partition wall 50 of the stationary member.

of spaced spring contact elements 51 and 52, and 53 and 54, which are mounted and secured to the plates by bolts' 55 which also constitute binding. posts. A bridge piece 56 constituting a projection of the block 38 of the outer movable section is capable ot' being selectively moved toy projecting positions between the contacts 51 and" 52, or -the contactsl 53 and 54, upon vertical swinging movement of the outer section on manipulation of the handle 41, or disposed in a neutral non-bridging position as illustrated in Fig. 8, when said section is in a neutral position.

In order to retain the outer section in any one of its three positions, theblock 38 has on its opposite upper and lower faces, rack members 57 formed with t-eeth with which spring detents 58 engage, the detents being carried bythe block. 33 of the intermediate' section.

The handle 41 extends through an opening 59 in the casing'or housing 20, so that the The intermediate, 'section has secured thereto two sets or pairs same is disposed immediately under the rim of the-steering wheel 26 in a convenient position to be manipulated by the driver of the vehicle without removingr his hand from the steering wheel. i

The switch is especially designed for use in connection with a signal circuit which includes a Right directional indicatingsignal G0, a Lett directional indicating signal 6l, a Stopi7 signal (52and a Slow signal 63. yThe circuit is preferably ot the grounded one-wire type in which the Bight signal Gt) is connected by a circuit wire (34 with the contact'element 42; the Lei't7 signal conn xted with the contact element 44 by a circuit wire G5; the Stop7 signal 62 connected by a circuit wire GG with thc contact element 54, and the Slow signal o3 connected by a circuit wire G7 with the Contact element 52. The remaining contact elements of each set or pair are connected in parallel with one pole of a battery or source of supply 68 by circuit wire-s GS), Tt), 71 and 72, lwhich respectively lead from the contacts 43. 45, 53 and 5l to a common circuit wire 73. The opposite pole ot' the battery or source of supply 68,'is grounded as illustrated at 74, while the opposite pole of each signal 60, 61, 62 and (i3-is connected by a common wire 75 to a ground 7G. Under this arrangement, it is obvious that with the switch in a neutral position any one ot the signals may be selectively actuated singly by moving the handle 41 laterally, which, it is obvious, .will move the outer and inter mediate sections of the switch laterally to cause the bridge piece 47 to assume a proj'ecting relation either with the spaced contacts 42 and43, or spaced contacts 44 and 45. In the first instance where the bridge piece is engaged between the'contacts 42 and 43, the current will flow from one pole ot' the battery through the colnmon circuit wire 73 to thecircuit. .wire (S9, thence through the contact 43, bridge piece 47, contact 42, circuit wire'G-l to the Right signal (it), through which the current will flow to the common ground wir-e 75, ground 7G. thence through the battery ground T4 to the opposite'lpole ot the battery for energizing or actuating the Right signal ut). It is obvious that movement otthe handle and the switchelements in the opposite lateral direction will dispose the bridge piece' 47 between the contacts 44 and 45 to actuate the Left signal G1. With the switch in neutral position, upward movement of the lhandle 4 1 will dispose the bridge piece 5G between th'e'eontacts 51 and 52, in which instance only a mov-ement of the outer scction of the switch is eflected. This will close the circuit to the Slow signal, due to the fact that the current will flow from one pole of the battery or source of'supply 68, through the common circuit wire 73, the cir- Sul lua

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cuit wire 72, the contact 51, the bridge piece 56, the contact 52, the circuit wire 67, the Slow7 signal 63 to energize the same, thence through the common `ground wire 75, the ground 76, and the battery ground 74, to the opposite pole of the battery. lA downward swinging movement of the handle 41 will obviously engage the bridge piece 56 between the contacteleinents 53 and 54closing the circuit of the Stop signal 62 and energizing or actuating the same.

From the foregoing it will be further obvious that a movement of the handle 41 laterally and vertically will eect a closing i ot' the circuit to a combination of signals:

for instance, if the handle 41 is swung to the right and upwardly, at the same time the bridge piece 47 will engage between the contacts 42 and 43 and the bridge piece 56 bc tween the contacts 51 and 52, thus energizing or actuating both the Right signal and Slow signal,rdue to the fact that the circuits will be closed simultaneously to said signal devices. If the handle is moved to the right and downwardly, the bridge pieces 47 yand 56 will be respectively engaged between the contacts 42 and 43 and the contacts 53 and 54, thereby displaying the Right and Stop7 signals. On the contrary, if the handle 41 is, swung to the left and upwardly, the bridge pieces 47 and 56 will be engaged between the contacts 44 and 45 and the contacts 51 and 52, displaying the Left and Slowsignals, whereas if the handle is swung to the left vand downwardly, the bridge pieces'47 and 56 will be engaged between the Contact elements 44 and.' 45, and 5,3 and 54, indicating Stop and a contemplated left turn. i

In order that the driver may be afforded fvisual indication of the proper working of the signals and in order that he may have a check upon the' position of the handle and the signal or signals which are being displayed, thepresent invention embodies an indicating means for this purpose, which includes a lamp 77 arranged in the lower part ot' the housing 20, in a socket 78 arranged in series in the signal circuit in any desired manner such as illustrated in Fig. 18. It is obvious that the lamp 77 is le-energized when both oi' the bridge pieces 47 and 56 are in a neutral non-bridging position, butfthat Such lamp will be energized it' either of the bridge pieces is moved to bridging relation with either of its set or pair of spaced contacts 42'and 43, 44 and 45, 51 and 52, or 53 and 54. From this it will be observed that- ,the lamp 77 is energized or lighted when any one ot' the signals or any combination of sig-l nals is energized, so that the interior of the casing 20 is illuminated, and due to the fact that the same is arranged in series with any signal which is being energized, failure of the signals to light will prevent lighting o! the signals are not operating properly.

In order lthat the operator may distin guish which one or combination ot signals `is lighted or displayed, the portion 82 ot' the casing cover which overlies the main portion of the body or casing 20', is formed with window' openings 83, 84, 85 and 86, respec. tively corresponding to the Right signal 60, the Left signal 61, the Stop signal 62 and the Slow signal 63, either by suitable indicia, symbols, or any other means. A pair of shutters 87 and 88 are employed and are arranged within the casing to underlie the-window openings, the same being disposed when the switch is in neutral position to cover the window openings and designed to be moved relatively when the switch is manipulated to uncover one or a combination of the window openings corresponding to the signal being displayed su that the lamp 77 illuminating the inside of the casing will render visible the uncovered window opening or openings. This is aecoinplished by mounting the arm .89 of the shutter 87 on a pivot pin 90, which projects upwardly from the upper plate 31 of the stationary section of the switch and Iorining the tree arm terminal with a notch 91 within which an actuating element, such as a screwv head 92 engages, which element or screw is carried by and progects upwardly -from the block 33 of the intermediate switch section. Under this arrangement, the swinging of .the handle and intermediate switch section laterally will, due to the engagement of the element or screw 92 with the notched free terminal of the arm, eil'ect lateralI swinging movements of the shutter 87 to uncover, respectively, the window openings 83 and 84. For example, when the handle 41 and intermediate switch element is swung rearwardly, as indicated in Fig. 10, to display on the signaling device a lett turn, the shutter 87 will be swung forwardly to uncover the window opening 84 which simulates and indicates to the driver that the switch is set and that the signals are operating to display a left turn. Un the other hand, when the handle 41 is swung forwardly, as illustrated in Fig. l1` the Vshutter 87 uncovers the window opening 83 to indicate to the driver. that the switch is Set and that the signals are displaying a right turn. In either ot' these positions, the shutter 88 which underlies the window openings 85 and 86, will not be moved suiciently to uncover either of said window openings. The shutter 88, however, is provided with an arm 93 which is fulcrunied on a bracket lull 94 carried by the plate 35 ot' the intermediate ator pin being carried' by the block 38 on the outer switch section. Under this arrangement when the outer switch section is moved vertically with the manipulating handle 41, the engagement of the pin 96 in the slotted arm 95 due to its relative swinging movenient with respect to thepivotal point of the shutter 88, will cause said shutter to swing forwardly or rearwardly a suiicient distance to selectively uncover the window openings 85 and 86. For example, when the switch arm is swung upwardly as illustrated in Fig. 12, the shutter 88 will be swung rearwardly to the right to uncover the window opening 86 which indicates an arrangement of the switch and a display of thc Slow signal 63. lVhen the manipulating handle 41 is swung downwardlyvas illustrated in Fig. 13, the shutter 88 is swung forwardly to uncover the window opening 85, which corresponds to the Stop signal 62 and indicates a condition of the switch to display a Stop signal. It follows that an upward movement and shifting of theinanipulating handle 41 rearwardl as illustrated in Fig. 14, indicates to the river` that the switch is set and the signal is displaying a. combination of Left and Slow signals; when the handle is shifted rearwardly and moved downwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 15, that a Left and Stop signal combination is being displayed; when the handle is shifted forwardly and up, as illustrated in Fig. 16,

that a Right and Slow signal combina-v tion is being displayed, and that when thev handle is shifted forwardly and moved downwardly that a Right and Stop signal is being displayed.

In order to prevent the escape of light from the lamp 77 when illuminated, through the handle-accominodiating pin 59 in the casing, it is proposed to provide on the handle a suitable guard or shield 97 which willpropcrly co-operate with the opening to prevent the escape of a iiood of light irrespective of the position of the handle.

The cover for the casing includes, in additionfto the portion 82, an inclined portion 98, which overlies the angular extension 21 as illustrated.

lt is, of course, obvious that the controlling switch while shown and illustrated diagraminatically in connection with a particular form of device, is not intended to be limited to this form of device but is designed merely as .a control for lany form of traffic signal of the same general type as that set forth. The switch has been designed with a view to compactness, comparative simplicity of structure and the facility with which the same mayy be operated without materially distracting the attention of the driver of the vehich from, his ordinary duties. The indicating means forming a part of adding to the general. safety of the device l memberl in either of said planes se ectively bridges each pair of spaced contacts singly and whereby movement in opposite directions of the operating member in both planes selectively bridges two of said pairs of contacts in combination.

, 2. A multiple switch including spaced pairs of contacts, a pair of bridge elements anda common operating member includingl sections pivctally connected for movement in planes at r-ght angles tol each other. and each ksection carrying one of said bridge elements, whereby the movement in opposite directions of the operating member in either of said planes selectivel bridges each air of spaced contacts singly and where y movement in opposite directions of the operating member in both plates selectively bridges two of said pairs of contacts in combination, and an indicating means constituting a part of the switch, operable by the common operating member thereof.

3. A multiple switch, said switch comprising spaced'pairs of contacts, a pair of bridge elements and a common operating member including sections pivotally connected for movement in planes at a right angle to each other and each section carrying one of said. bridge elements, whereby the movement in opposite directions of the operating member in either of said planes selectively bridges each pair of spaced contacts singly and whereby movement in opposite directions o'l the operating member in both planes selectively bridges two of said pairs of contacts in combination, and an indicating means constitilting a part ot' the switch, operable by the common operating ineniberthereof, said indicating means comprising a switch housing having window openings therein, li hting means within the housing illuminated y the switch, and shutters operable by the operating member for covering the window openings.

1 1. A multiple switch, said Switch comprising a common operating member including sections having pivotal connection for movement in planes at right angles to each other, and detent means for retaining said sections in their shifted positions.

5. A multiple switch including spaced of the switch has been devised with'a view pairs of contacts for each ,of said devices,

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a bridge element for each pair of spaced bridging of one pair of spaced contacts iS pairs of contacts, and a common operating effecbed and whereby upon movement in opmember including a plurality of sections posite directions of the operating member pivotally connected together for movement in a plurality of'pla-nes selectively bridging in different planes, each section carrying one of a plurality of pairs ofthe spaced contacts of said bridge elements whereby upon moveis eected.

ment in opposite directions of the operating member in any one of said planes, selective SEYMOUR L. SMITH. 

